Broadneck High School



AP Government Summer Assignment 2019Rationale/Purpose/Relationship to the Course: The summer assignment will serve as an introduction to three of the nation’s founding documents which students will analyze in greater depth during our first unit of study. This assignment will also introduce students to the type of primary sources they will be analyzing during the semester. Lastly, these documents are required reading as indicated by the College Board. Assignment: AP U.S. Government and Politics Summer Assignment (2018-2019) For this assignment, you will be analyzing three of our nation’s founding documents. All three documents are required reading for the course (as outlined by the College Board). They will be challenging readings as all three documents were written in the eighteenth century, but do your best work and be prepared to discuss these documents during the first week of school. The documents also make up three of our foundational documents that must comprehend for the course and AP Exam. Part I: Declaration of Independence Analysis In the early 1770’s, many American colonists began to think Britain, led by King George III, intended to take away many of the freedoms they had previously enjoyed. The colonies sent delegates to form the Continental Congress in Philadelphia to determine an appropriate course of action. After the Revolutionary War began and following attempts at reconciliation, the delegates of the Second Continental Congress began to believe independence was their only option. Thomas Jefferson began to write a first draft of the Declaration of Independence. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Britain. Two days later, Congress approved the text of the Declaration of Independence. Directions: Analyze the Declaration of Independence, which can be found here: Then, answer the questions that follow in complete sentences using specific references to the text. 1. What is the purpose of the Declaration of Independence? 2. According to the Declaration of Independence, what are the colonists seeking? 3. According to the Declaration of Independence, where does a government get its power? 4. According to the Declaration of Independence, what is one responsibility that the people have? 5. Before declaring independence, what political course of action did the colonists take? 6. The Declaration of Independence contains a list of indictments against King George III of Britain. In your opinion, which two are the most serious? Explain your reasoning. 7. In your opinion, were the colonists justified in declaring independence? Explain using specific references to the text. 8. How did the ideas of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration mirror the concept of John Locke’s Social Contract Theory? II: Articles of Confederation AnalysisWatch the lecture and read the text on the Khan Academy website on the Articles of Confederation, then answer the following questions. and Articles of Confederation After considerable debate, the delegates of the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation on November 15, 1777. This served as the United States’ first constitution. The Articles of Confederation were in effect from 1781-1789. Then, answer the questions that follow in complete sentences using specific references to the text. 1. Read Articles I-III of the document. What is a confederation? Describe this form of government in your own words. 2. How many delegates did each state have in the national Congress? How many votes did each state get in Congress? 3. How many states had to vote to pass a law? How many states had to agree to amend, or change the Articles of Confederation? How could or did this prove problematic? 4. What powers did the Articles of Confederation give to the national government? 5. What powers did the Articles of Confederation deny to the national government? 6. The Articles of Confederation did not allow the government the power to tax. Why do you think this was the case? 7. Why do you think the government established by the Articles of Confederation did not have an executive, such as a president? 8. In your opinion, did the Articles of Confederation establish an effective system of government? Explain your reasoning. Part III: U.S. Constitution Document Analysis By May 1787 several flaws within the Articles of Confederation had become apparent. Delegates from the thirteen states traveled to Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention with the intention of revising the Articles of Confederation. After several weeks of debate, the delegates decided to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new constitution. The U.S. Constitution was signed on May 17, 1787 and was then ratified by the states, going into effect in 1789. Directions: Analyze the U.S. Constitution, which can be found here: Then, complete the following graphic organizer:Identify Each SectionGeneral PurposeArticle IArticle IIArticle IIIArticle IVArticle VArticle VIArticle VIISummarize each of the 27 amendments in the Constitution. 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627Draw a thinking map that identifies and describes how the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were addressed by the U.S. Constitution. LASTLY, MAKE SURE THAT YOU START AN ACCOUNT WITH THE COLLEGE BOARD WEBSITE ATTACHED TO YOUR PERSONAL EMAIL. YOU WILL NEED AN ACCOUNT TO DO SOME OF THE ASSIGNMENTS AND PRACTICE TESTS WITH THEIR NEW ONLINE RESOURCES. ................
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